Summit County Citizens Voice

Major fires are blazing across parts of Texas, where a sustained drought has dried out fuels.

At least 40 homes lost,extreme fire behavior challenging firefighters

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY  — Firefighters in Texas have their hands full, with six active fires burning across about a quarter of a million acres, mostly in tall-grass country. In most of the active fires, conditions are ripe for extreme fire behavior, with a high likelihood the blazes will spread even more.

The Cannon Group, is burning south of Interstate 10 in brush country south of Pecos. The fires were started by lightning. Currently about 85 firefighters are on scene, and they have the blaze about 40 percent contained. Updates on all the Texas fires and other wildfires at this link.

The largest blaze is the Rockhouse Fire, which started April 9 near Marfa and quickly spread north to Fort Davis. The Rockhouse fire has destroyed about 40 homes and miles of grazing pasture.

According to an Inciweb update, “Extreme drought conditions and critical fire weather have combined to pose challenges to firefighters working to contain the large fire. Lands within the Ft. Davis National Historic site were burned as the fire moved northward. Structures were not destroyed at the site.”

The Wildcat Fire, in Coke County, is also showing some extreme fire behavior. It started  April 11th near Robert Lee, Tx in Coke County. The fire made a large run on April 14th toward the more urban area of San Angelo, Tx. Residences and other structures have been threatened.

Filed under: climate and weather, Environment, forest fires Tagged: | Firefighter, Fort Davis Texas, Summit County News, Texas Forest Service, Texas wildfires, Wildfires